Here are some top tips for reading with your child.  If you can find the time beforehand, read the read-aloud book to yourself first, so you can think about how you’re going to read it to your child.

On the first reading:

▪ Make reading aloud feel like a treat. Make it a special quiet time and cuddle up so you can both see the book.

▪ Show curiosity about what you’re going to read: ‘This book looks interesting. What do you think it is about? Talk about the front cover.

▪ Read through the whole story the first time without stopping too much.  

▪ Read with enjoyment and lots of expression.  Read favourite stories over and over again.

On later readings:

▪ When reading now, pause and get your child to think about and comment on the pictures.

▪ If you think your child did not understand something, try to explain: ‘Oh! I think what’s happening here is that… Do you think that too?’

▪ Chat about the story and pictures: ‘I wonder why she did that?’; ‘Oh no, I hope she’s not going to…’; ‘What would you have done if you were her?’

▪ Link the stories to your own family experiences: ‘This reminds me of when …’

▪ Link stories to others that your child knows: ‘Ah! Do you remember the dragon in ….? Do you remember what happened to him?’

▪ Encourage your child to join in with the bits they know when you are reading together.